Government vs. Private Control and "Balkanization" of the Internet - 0 views
www.atr.org/l-balkanization-internet-a5372
national broadband plan net neutrality braodband access braodband
shared by erika webb on 31 Jan 11
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The Economist also says Net Neutrality is a means to preserve openness, though the piece fairly outlines its many cons. Without Net Neutrality, proponents of government regulation argue Internet service providers will create a closed Internet by blocking content or permitting some websites to ride on a “fast-lane” above others. However, this, too, should be decided by consumer choice in the free market, not by prescriptive rules from the FCC that mandate extremely “open” business models. Consumer preferences in the free-market alone have long ensured that ISPs do not block websites. Additionally, prioritizing traffic helps prevent congestion, and the model of offering paid fast lanes is utlized by mostly “open” companies like Google to ensure their service is fast enough for consumers in places far from their servers. Finally, paid prioritization would provide a new revenue source for ISPs to lower prices and invest in broadband expansion, speed, and other services – something that can be very good for consumers. Net Neutrality and the FCC's lingering attempt at broadband reclassification could take all these potential benefits away.
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erika webb on 31 Jan 11I strongly believe that it should play out in the free market.
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